Liquid-circulator.



W. T. BONNER.

LIQUID CIRCULATOR. APPLICATION FILED 00131. 1914.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

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To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM T. BONNER,

I a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the city of New York, boroughof Brooklyn, county of Kings, State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Liquid- Circulator, of which the following is a full,

. clear, and exact description.

. My invention relates to means for automatically elevating, distributing and circulating water, or other liquids, and heating said liquid coincidentally with such elevation, distribution and circulation.

While the uses and applications of the invention as a pump and circulatorare many 7 and varied, in the selected adaptation hereinafter described as typical of its general character, my device has for its specific obj ect the lifting of water from a dead or stagwithin the elevated zone.

The invention will be more particularly explained in connection with the aforesaid illustrated embodiment given as an example. Reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification,

in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which:

Figure 1 1s a cross sectlon on the line 1,-1

. of Fig. 2 showing one form of my invention in connection with an internally fired boiler; a

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the boiler, the circulator being. shown 1n sideelevati'on; Fig. 3. isa fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectionof the clrculator, on a larger scale; Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 1+4, Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an end elevation View of the circulator sho-wing modification; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the circulator shown in Fig. 5, and Fig.

7 is a sectional detail of the form shown in I i Figs. 5 and 6.

Referring to the example illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, working barrel 10 is provided, disposed horizontally, and forming the main chamber of the'circulator. In this form of the invention the circulator is sustained in position in the boiler A near the W t r l el h r f y amping he. same to Specification of Letters Patent.

LIQUID-CIRGULATOR.

Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

Application filed October 31, 1914. Serial No. 869,623.

certain of the stay bolts B of the boiler. The clamps 11 present two side clamp members embracing the stay bolts, the clamps being desirably pivoted to studs 13 in threaded engagement with sockets 1.4 on the working barrel 10. r

The intake pipe 15 of the circulator is approximately vertical and of a length to bring its lower end adjacent to the bottom of the boiler A. Theupper end of the intake pipe in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4: extends into the interior chamber of the working barrel 10 to a point near the top of the latter. The discharge pipe 16 communicates with the working barrel 10 and is connected with the bottom of the latter through the medium of a trap bend 17. The discharge pipe extends to such height that its outlet is above the water level, it being understood that the working barrel 10 is submerged sufficiently to result in a head that will cause the water from the intake pipe 15 to flow into the working barrel 10.

With the inflow of water to the boiler when filling, the water will also rise in the intake pipe 15 and spill over into the chamber of working barrel 10, filling and sealing the trap bend 17 due to above stated immersion of the working barrel 10. With the complete sealing of the bend 17 the air trapped within the working barrel is compressed by the increasing back pressure through intake pipe 15 resulting fromthe continued flow of water into the boiler. Under ordinary working conditions the relative levels of water in the working barrel 10 and in the discharge pipe 16, will be approximately as indicated in Fig. 8 of the drawing, the water in the discharge pipe rising to a greater height than in the working barrel, owing to the pressure exerted through the volume of air under compression within the working barrel and the Water within the suction pipe 15 by the greater head of the exterior surrounding water. The latter however is never sutlicient, of itself,

to raise the water in discharge pipe 16 to of the heat and tends to force upward the volume of water in the discharge pipe 16 by exerting a downward pressure on the surface of the water 1n the working barrel 10,

as will readily be understood, and at the pipe, which is open above the water level.

Following the line of least resistance relief from continued expansion of the trapped "air-within the working barrel must therefore be had through open end 18 of discharge pipe 16 from which the water is finally ejected in geyser like impulses.

IVith the ejection of the water from the working barrel and discharge pipe, a fresh supply of air or steam, as hereinafter explained, will rush in through the then free end of discharge pipe to satisfy the partial vacuum Within the working'barrel. Simultaneously, the water will rush in through' the intake pipe 15, and by reason of its lower temperature will chill the remnant of air within the chamber of the working barrel, thereby increasing the extent of the vacuum above mentioned. That a vacuum really exists at this stage of the operation is readily proven by raising the level of the. water in the boiler until the outer end of the discharge pipe 18 is sealed, under which conditions, when a water volume is ejected from the working barrel, there will immediately occur, in addition to the inflow of water by back pressure through the intake pipe quent checking of its functions.

15, aninrush of water backwardly through the discharge pipe. This operation, if con tinued, would presently result in a total flooding of the working barrel and conse- With the outboard end of discharge pipe 16 free and clearsuch results do not occur.

discharge pipe.

It will be understood that the successive ejective impulses resulting from the filling, compression and expansion of air and water within the working barrel 10 and its auxiliary connections will occur with fairly regular periodicity so long as the complementary conditions continue approximately as above indicated, and the result is substantially the same whether the circulator is operated within a boiler under pressure or in an open vessel, except that greater compression is secured whenthe circulator is operated under pressure and with consequently greater capacity for expansion and ejection of water volume in the working barrel and An important condition, however, is that the temperature of the water drawn in through the intake pipe 15 must be sufiiciently lower than that of the water immediately surrounding the working barrellO, to chill and condense any air or vapor Within the latter and thereby produce the requisite working vacuum above referred to, bearing in mind therapidity with which the contents of working barrel 10 attain the temperature of the surrounding medium. 1

It follows that the operation of the circulator by its repeated lifting of cold water from the bottom of the boiler and discharging same adjacent to the water level, must gradually produce a mixture of uniform, or approximately uniform temperature. In the meantime, the original volume of air available for the successive fillings of the chamber of the working barrel 10 has been dissipated andits place and function supplied by steam or vapor, particularly if the circulator is installed within a closed vessel such as a steamboiler lVith the dissipation of theair, vapor from the steam space above the water level then becomes the chief operating medium. In additionthereto a considerable amount of steam is also obtained by evaporation of the water within required for expansion 'andejection, the generation of this steam materially adding to the ejective force.

If the chamber of the working barrel be completely filled with water, and heat ap-" plied, steam will gradually form within the working barrel 10, pushing the water content downwardin the said barrel and upwardly in the discharge pipe, until it overflows from the latter.- By this'means the" the working'barrel during the brief period I that of the steam'within' the space above, I

provide a lateral conductor pipe 18, which may be'secured by'flanges 21, 21 and which in practice is extended sufiiciently to locate the downwardly'disposed outlet end 18 at a point. which will not only avoid such reactive temperatures butestablish useful circulation of otherwise dormant water by adding to the'volume and gravity of latter that of the discharge from pipe end 18. In the case of a steam boiler, thermometers 19and 19 may be inserted through shell thereof at points near the waterlevel and near the botshown by Figs. 2 and6; It will be evident however, that ,the addition of an-extended lateral conductor to the vertical discharge plpe 16 must appreciably detract from the efficiency of the discharge impulse because of the lengthened period during which the discharge opening remains sealed after the expansive effort within the working barrel 10 has ejected the latters Water content. In order, therefore, tohasten the reradmission of air or vapor to working barrel 10, following an ejection therefrom of its water content through discharge pipe 16, I perforate the conductor branch 18 with a series of openings 20. By locating these openings approximately as shown in Fig. 6 any submergence of the discharge end 18*, due either to abnormally high water levels or to wash of the water within the boiler, due to rolling of the vessel at sea, will not retard the frequency of the ejective impulses neither will latter be affected by any sluggish flow of the discharge through the conductor branch.

With the inclination of the conductor branch 18 as shown, the openings 20 may be made fairly close to the top bend 18 and still be below the level of the latter, an essential feature in insuring the positive coursing of the discharge downward through conductor 18. This condition having been established the downwardly inclined conductor acts as a draft tube to assist the expansive forces within the working barrel in pushing the water volume upward and over the top bend 18 The size and number of perforations 20 may be varied to suit the structural andoperative conditions. Once having passed the bend 18 I find in practice that the water being ejected will flow in full volume past the perforations 20, and not escape therethrough but, on the contrary, there will be an inspirator action, the flowing water serving to draw in more or less air or vapor through the perforations 20, as the water advances. When the volume of this flowing water has lessened sufficiently to provide a passage the air or vapor will instantly rush inwardly through the perforations 20 toward the top bend 18 and thence into working barrel 10 even before the outboard discharge end 18 has become clear. Thus it occurs that greater frequency of ejective'action is attained and it follows also that conductor pipe 18 may be extended indefinitely in any direction and to any desired point above or below the water level provided only that its downward inclination is sufiicient to insure a free flow of the discharge water or other liquid. Moreover, by theprompt admission of .air to working barrel 10, the void therein established by the previous ejection is satisfied and any excess injection of water through suction pipe 15 is prevented.

A further result of great importance, if the circulator be fitted within a boiler, is the heating of-the outflowing water byitsdirect contact with the steam drawn in through the perforations 20. By this means the temperature of the discharge water is raised, approximately, to that of the steam itself. Finally it may be mentioned that the last of a flow of water which ordinarily hangs in the end of an otherwise closed pipe is Wholly discharged with the elimination of vacuum in conductor pipe 16 by admission of air through openings 20, this feature being of material importance where the circulator is used as a lifting and distributing pump.

Reverting to that which might be termed the operating air within the working barrel, the original content gradually becomes dissipated as above mentioned, small volumes being, as it were, forced out ahead of each successive column of water, so that finally the available supply may be insutlicient for compression and expansion to the extent required for complete ejection. To minimize this difiiculty, I provide an air chamber 22 which may be attached either directly to working barrel 10 as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 or.

to top of? inlet bend 15 as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7. By this means I provide a reserve volume of air, the comparatively contracted lower end of the air chamber tending to conserve this auxiliary supply for reinforcing the remaining air content within the body of the working barrel. Moreover, as the working barrel may not be deeply submerged as in Figs. 2 and 3, the air chamber may be made to extend above the water level and into the steam space of the boiler, thereby subjecting it to the increased heat of the steam, so that the resulting expansion of the air within the air chamber will materially assist the ejective effort occurring within the working barrel 10.

In the operation of the circulator it frequently occurs that an equilibrium is temporarily established as between the exterior and interior pressures of water and air, or vapor, with the result that the circulator becomes inactive. In order to disturb this equilibrium and restore it to proper action, I provide an outlet pipe 23, preferably leading from the bottom of the trap bend 17, outwardly to the exterior of the boiler shell or other structure, where such outlet pipe is fitted with an exterior controlling cock 24: (Fig. 2). If the cook 24 be opened, it is obvious that a flow will result, both from the discharge pipe 16 and intake pipe 15 toward the trap bend 17 and outwardly through the outlet pipe 23, resulting in a disturbance of the prevailing conditions within the working barrel 10. In practice I find the circulator will then resume its normal functions. Incidentally, the outlet pipe 23, when connected at the bottom of trap bend 17, will function as a blow-off and clean-out for any sediment which may collect within the bend.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5, 6 and 7,

' a construction is illustrated wherein the working barrel 10 is disposed man upright position instead ofhorizontally, as in the first described construction. WVith the Vertical form, the intake-pipe I15= connects by a bend 15 with the upper end of the working barrel 10. In bothinstancesthe workingbarrel is preferably though not neces sarily cylindrical. The discharge pipe 16*v is connected with the upright working barrel by a trap bend 17. In order that a single form of bend may be employed both for connecting the intake pipe and the dis-. charge pipe, I form the bends 15 and 17 alike. The bend 15 connects with the intake pipe by a joint which may be of either. screwed or flanged form, a similar.

joint 25 serving to connect the discharge pipe 16? at its lower end. The connection of the bends 15 and 17 with the working design to the end that like parts in all of,

the various forms may be made interchangeable.

The bends 17, 17 and 15 are alike, the bend 17 having a flange 17", connecting with discharge pipe 16,. a nipple 28 connecting with pipe 23, and a flange 26" secured by studs and nuts 26 to a boss 26 on the work-v ing barrel 10. The pipe 15 has a flange 26 secured by studs and nuts 26 to boss 26 on the barrel 10.

. A tapped and threaded boss 28 is formed. on the bend 15 and with the nipple 29,

- serves to connect the air chamber 22, previously described, it being understood that the said air chamber is the same in all respects as in the first described construction. The boss 28* on lower bend 17 is utilized. for the connection of the outlet pipe 28 cor-.

responding to the pipe 23.

In order to ascertain the frequency and extent of the compressive and expansive ao-- tion which occurs within the working barrel of the circulator when inclosed in a boiler under steam, I provide a connecting tube 30 leading from a threaded opening 31 at the top of working barrel 10 through the.

followed by a noticeable change in the readingof thermometer 19 Having thus described my invention, what ."I claim asxnew and desire tosecure by L'ettors Patent, is: a i y 3 1. Ina liquid circulator ofthe character -.described,-.a closed pressurechamben a tubular intake or suction member leadingfrom point below :said' chamber .to a'polnt of discharge-within said chamber ator near the upper portion thereof, atubular discharge member drawing from said chamber at or near the bottomthereof and extending upwardly above said chamber,- anda laterally extended perforated conductor section connecting with the upper end of said discharge member adapted to carry the discharging liquid beyond the limit of chilling influence upon the temperature of said pressure chamber and adjacent fluids.

2. The combination with a. vessel adapted to contain liquid to be heated, of a circulator comprising a workingchamber, means to secure the chamber in said vessel below the liquid level in the vessel, an intake communieating with the chamber near the top of the latter and having an open lower end below said chamber, a discharge pipe leading from said chamber near the bottom and rising above said chamber and above the liquid in the vessel, and a conductor section leading laterally from the discharge pipe having means wherebysaid conductor sectionmay be efficiently utilized for the discharge of said liquid at any point within the limit of gravity flow above orbelow the surface level of the liquid within said containing vessel.

3. In a liquid circulator of the character described, a working chamber, an intake leading to the said chamber and a discharge pipe having an inlet for air or vaporbetweenthe outlet of the'said pipe and the chamber to permit entrance of air or vapor to the discharge pipe and chamber independently of .the said outlet. '7

4:. In a liquid circulator of the character described having inlet anddischarge pipes, means for the readmission of air or vapor prior to the complete emptying of the discharge pipe.

5. In combination with a boiler, a liquid circulator having a discharge pipeprovided with a laterally disposed conductor pipe, having perforations through which the enveloping steam heats the flowing liquid within said conductor pipe by direct contact previous to its discharge therefrom.

6. The combination with a boiler or other vessel, of a circulator of the character described and means for automatically interminglingsteam or other heated vapor with a cooler-liquid in transit from one'zone to another within said vessel in the manner and for thepurpose set forth."

7.1 In a liquid'circulator of the character described, a working chamber, an intake leading into said chamber from a point-be loW the same, an upwardly extending discharge pipe leading from the chamber, and a laterally extending and downwardly inclined conductor section having an-inlet for air or vapor between the outlet of said section and the upwardly extending discharge p In a liquid circulator of the character described, a working chamber having inlet and discharge connections, a laterally extended and downwardly inclined conductor pipe leading from said discharge connection, and air or vapor inlets for permitting an indefinite extension of said conductor pipe to any desired point for discharge above or below line within the limit of gravity flow.

9. In a liquid circulator of the character described and provided with a working chamber adapted to receive by induction and expel by expansion successive volumes of air or vapor and water, inlet and discharge pipes connecting with said working chamber, an extended lateral conductor pipe connected with said discharge, and means for permitting the ingress of air or vapor to said working chamber while the outboard end of said discharge pipe is flooded, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a liquid circulator of' the character described, a vertically disposed discharge pipe, a laterally extended conductor pipe leading therefrom, and openings in said conductor pipe as and for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination with a vessel containing a liquid to be heated, of a circulator adapted for automatically elevating the cooler portions of said liquid to the hotter zones within said vessel and a perforated lateral conveyer for heating and discharging said liquid at any desired point within said vessel. 7

12. In combination with a heating chamber, a liquid circulator of the character described, a vertically disposed discharge pipe, a laterally extended conductor pipe leading therefrom and air or vapor inlet'openings in said conductor pipe as and for the purpose described.

13. In a liquid circulator of the character described, a main working chamber adapted to receive bodies of air or vapor and liquid for the successive expulsion of the liquid by the heating and expansion of the air or vapor, an intake for said liquid, said intake leading into said main chamber and discharging near the top thereof and having its suction inlet below said working chamber, an air chamber connected with one of said elements above the said main chamber and having communication with the top of the said main chamber, the air chamber serving to hold an auxiliary volume of air to reinforce, by its expansion, the expelling force of the air within the said main chamber, and a discharge pipe leading from the bottom of the main chamber and extending upwardly.

14. In a liquid circulator of the character described, a working chamber adapted to receive and expel bodies of liquid and air, or vapor, through the medium of expansion by heat, an intake pipe leading to said working chamber, a discharge pipe leading from said chamber and extending upwardly therefrom, and means external to said circulator for restoring the action thereof.

15. In combination with a heating chamber, a liquid circulator of the character described, comprising a working barrel adapted to receive and expel successive volumes of air and water through its connecting inlet and discharge pipes and an air chamber to operate as an auxiliary to the functions of said working barrel.

16. In combination with an inclosing ves sel, as, a steam boiler, a liquid circulator of the character described, comprising a working chamber adapted to contain bodies of liquid and air, means for expelling the; liquid by heat expansion of the air, an intake pipe leading to said chamber, a dis-v charge pipe leading from the said chamber near the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, and externally controlled means for restoring said chamber to its proper working conditions when it shall have become flooded.

17. In a liquid circulator of the character described, a main chamber adapted to contain bodies of liquid and air wherewith to expel the liquid by expansion of the air, an intake pipe leading into said chamber, a discharge pipe, a trap bend connecting said discharge pipe with the main chamber at the bottom of the latter, and an externally controlled pipe leading away from the trap bend adapted to permit a flow of liquid from the chamber through said bend to disturb equilibrium in the system.

18. The combination of a boiler with a circulator of the character described and means external to said boiler and circulator for controlling the action of said circulator.

19. The combination of a boiler with a circulator of the character described, and means external to said boiler and circulator for ascertaining the frequency and scope of its action.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM 'I. BONNER.

Witnesses J. L. MOAULIFFE, G. H. EMSLIE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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